Lionel Messi has sent Gerd Muller a signed Barcelona shirt in acknowledgement of having broken his world record in 2012.

The newly-crowned four-time Ballon d’Or winner surpassed Muller’s official record of 85 goals scored in a calendar year, achieved in 1972, with 91 goals managed during 2012.

The Argentine has sent the former German international a signed Barcelona home shirt with ‘Messi 10’ on the back and the message: “To Gerd Muller / My respect and admiration / A hug.”

At the same time, club President Sandro Rosell has sent Bayern counterpart Karl-Heinz Rummenigge a letter expressing his: “recognition for the figure and person of Gerd Muller.”

Rosell also added that it “was clearly an added motivation and target for Messi.

“The love and admiration that our Club feels for Bayern and its supporters has once again been demonstrated through the historic bond between these two players who have set new standards and generated such sentiment among our respective fans.”

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